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OPTIONS APLENTY FOR VAN MARWIJK

Many fans will still be rubbing sleep out of their eyes when Feyenoord line up against NAC Breda in a 12.30 pm kick-off at the Kuip Sunday. Those on the pitch will be ready to go however, as the game is Feyenoord’s first chance to assign last week’s painful defeat at Heereveen to the trash bin. Interestingly, the lunchtime start sees the swift return of Johan Elmander to Rotterdam. In a NAC Breda shirt.

Save Robin van Persie, Bert van Marwijk has a full squad to choose from, as Chris Gyan is also available after a long period on the sidelines. Van Persie’s replacement on the left is expected to be Sebastián Pardo. ‘That’s possible,’ confirmed Van Marwijk Friday. ‘Anthony Lurling is another option however. Sebastián’s plus point is that he rarely gets caught in possession and he plays deeper than Robin, who in turn is always likely to conjure something up. Sebastián naturally cuts inside more from the left wing. I’ve not made my final decision yet.’
Sinji Ono also looks likely to be back in the mix Sunday. Back to full fitness, the Japanese trained with the squad all week. Van Marwijk has his doubts about Ono’s match fitness though. ‘Shinji hasn’t played for three and a half months. He’s not someone who really needs to build up rhythm, but it’s a long time without playing. I think I have to protect him from himself a little. But it’s inconceivable that he’ll start on the bench on Sunday.’
If Pardo does play left wing as expected, Thomas Buffel may find himself on the opposite flank, with Dirk Kuyt down the middle. The early start means that we won’t have to wait too long to find out.
FEYENOORD-NAC BREDA
The Kuip
Kick-off 12.30
Referee: Dick Jol
Expected elevens
FEYENOORD
Zoetebier; Song, Van den Berg, Paauwe, De Nooijer; Van Wonderen, Schreuder; Buffel, Kuyt, Lazovic, Pardo
Unavailable: Van Persie (ankle)
NAC BREDA
Babos; Fehér, Penders, Schenning, Gudelj; Petö, Slot (Seedorf), Stam; Diba (Vos), Elmander, Bobson
Unavailable: Engelaar, Koning (both calf)
Five-year form guide
HOME
02/03/2003 Feyenoord – NAC 2-1
7/4/2002 Feyenoord – NAC 0-0
28/1/2001 Feyenoord – NAC 2-0
25/4/1999 Feyenoord – NAC 2-2
5/10/1997 Feyenoord – NAC 2-1
AWAY
22/12/2002 NAC – Feyenoord 1-1
4/11/2001 NAC – Feyenoord 2-1
8/4/2001 NAC – Feyenoord 1-0
18/4/1999 NAC – Feyenoord 0-1
19/4/1998 NAC – Feyenoord 1-3